— Everyday Math
Tip Calculator
Enter the bill and a tip percentage to see the tip and the total — then split it between any number of people, round up to a clean figure, or tip on the pre-tax amount. Tap a preset for the usual 15, 18 or 20%.
Total
$70.80
- Tip
- $10.80
— How it works
Tip = bill × tip% ÷ 100. Total = bill + tip. Per person = total ÷ number of people. Tip on the pre-tax amount uses (bill − tax) in place of the bill.
Tip, total and the usual percentages
A tip is simply a percentage of the bill: multiply the bill by the rate and you have the gratuity; add it to the bill for the total. The only real question is what percentage to leave, and that is a matter of custom rather than arithmetic. In the United States, 15% is the low end for adequate table service, 18% is a common default, and 20% rewards good service — which is why those three are one tap away here. Counter service, takeaway and other countries follow very different norms, so treat the presets as a starting point and type whatever you intend.
Worked example — a $60 bill at 18%: Tip = $60 × 18% = $10.80, so the total is $70.80. Split three ways, each person pays $70.80 ÷ 3 = $23.60.
Splitting the bill and rounding up
To split a bill, the total (bill plus tip) is divided by the number of people — everyone covers an equal share of both the food and the gratuity. The per-person figure rarely lands on a round number, which is where rounding up helps: round the total up and everyone contributes a little more, or round each person’s share up so nobody has to fish for coins. Either way the calculator shows the exact figure alongside the rounded one, and the few extra cents simply add to the tip — which is why the effective tip rate ticks up slightly when you round.
Should you tip on the pre-tax amount?
Strictly, a tip rewards service, not the government — so the traditional rule is to tip on the pre-tax bill. In practice many people tip on the post-tax total because it is the number printed at the bottom of the receipt, and on a modest bill the difference is small. If you want to be precise, enter the tax included in your bill and switch “tip based on” to pre-tax: the calculator then takes the percentage of the bill minus the tax. On an \$86.40 bill that includes \$6.40 of tax, an 18% tip is \$14.40 on the pre-tax amount versus \$15.55 on the full total.
— Reader questions
How much should I tip?
In the US, 15–20% of the bill is customary for sit-down table service: 15% for adequate service, 18% as a common default, and 20% for good service. Counter service and other countries vary widely. Tap a preset for 15/18/20% or type your own rate.
How do I split a bill with the tip?
Add the tip to the bill, then divide the total by the number of people so everyone shares the gratuity equally. Set “split between” to the number in your party; the calculator shows both the per-person total and each person’s share of the tip.
Should I tip on the pre-tax or post-tax amount?
Traditionally you tip on the pre-tax bill, since the tip rewards service rather than tax. Many people tip on the post-tax total out of convenience. Enter the tax in your bill and choose “pre-tax” under Advanced options to tip the precise way.
What does rounding up do?
It rounds the total — or each person’s share — up to the next whole unit so payment is tidy, with the extra added to the tip. The calculator still shows the exact total and the slightly higher effective tip rate that results.
Is the tip calculated before or after tax?
By default this calculator tips on the whole bill. If your bill includes sales tax and you would rather tip only on the food and drink, enter the tax amount and switch to “pre-tax” — the tip is then a percentage of the bill minus the tax.